Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nia Thomas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Taking risks, for me, isn’t a single dramatic moment—it’s the baseline of how I operate as an entrepreneur. It’s a daily practice. Every decision I make carries some level of uncertainty, and I’m constantly weighing potential upside against very real constraints—especially cash flow, timing, and capacity.

As a small business owner in fashion, the stakes are tangible. I’m deciding whether to invest in a wholesale partnership that could expand the brand’s reach but compress margins. I’m evaluating PR opportunities that might elevate visibility but require time, product, and energy with no guaranteed return. I’m thinking about whether to show at Fashion Week, which can be transformative for brand perception but is also capital-intensive. Even something like traveling for a pop-up—while exciting and potentially lucrative—comes with logistical costs and the risk of not recouping the investment.

Because resources are limited, I can’t do everything at once. So my process often feels like leapfrogging—moving from one calculated risk to the next, without perfect certainty about the landing. There’s a real tension in that. You’re building the plane while flying it. But over time, I’ve learned that hesitation can be just as costly as a misstep.

One pattern I’ve noticed is that the risks I take when I’m most aligned with my intuition—when I trust my perspective, move decisively, and commit fully—tend to pay off, even if not always in the way I initially expected. Sometimes the return is financial, sometimes it’s brand visibility, sometimes it’s a relationship or an opportunity that unlocks something bigger down the line.

So while I wouldn’t point to a single defining risk, I would say the more meaningful story is about consistency—about choosing, every day, to move forward despite incomplete information. I’ve learned to be rigorous in my analysis, but also to respect my instincts. That balance—between discipline and intuition—is what allows me to take risks that are not reckless, but intentional. And in my experience, those are the ones that compound.

Nia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a fashion designer and founder of my eponymous label, and my path into this work started very intentionally. After high school, I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I earned my BFA in Fashion Design. FIT gave me a strong technical foundation, but more importantly, it sharpened my point of view. Very quickly, I became aware of a gap in the market—there was plenty of ethically made clothing, and plenty of exciting fashion, but rarely both existing in the same space. I felt there was an opportunity to create something that honored craftsmanship and responsibility without sacrificing desirability.

I started my brand just one year after graduating, at 23. At the time, I didn’t have a deep background in business or operations—I was learning in real time. What I did have was a strong sense of conviction and a willingness to show up every day, stay curious, and improve. In those early years, I focused obsessively on product—fit, fabrication, finish—and on creating a customer experience that felt thoughtful and personal. That commitment became the foundation of the brand.

Seven years later, the business has grown in ways I’m incredibly proud of. We now wholesale with boutiques around the world, sell direct-to-consumer through our website, and operate a showroom in Mexico City, where all of our garments are produced. That space is very special to me—it’s not just a retail environment, it’s an experience. Clients can come in, have a mezcal, sit, take their time, and connect with the pieces in a more intimate way. I’ve always been inspired by the tradition of made-to-order salons in Paris, where shopping felt personal, intentional, and deeply considered. That spirit informs how we engage with our customers today.

At its core, the brand offers thoughtfully designed, ethically produced clothing that empowers women to feel confident and expressive. But beyond the product itself, I see our work as solving two key challenges: first, creating fashion that aligns with a more conscious, values-driven consumer without compromising on beauty or excitement; and second, preserving and supporting artisanal craftsmanship by providing fair wages and long-term opportunities for makers whose skills are often generational.

What sets us apart is that balance—between modern design and heritage technique, between aspiration and integrity. Everything is made with intention, and there’s a human story behind every piece.

What I’m most proud of is the impact on both sides of that equation. I’ve seen how the right garment can shift how a woman carries herself—how she enters a room, how she expresses her identity. That transformation, however subtle or bold, is incredibly meaningful to me. At the same time, I’m equally proud of the relationships we’ve built with our artisans in Mexico City—being able to support their craft, pay them fairly, and create a system where their work is valued and sustained.

If there’s one thing I want people to understand about me and my brand, it’s that everything is done with care. This isn’t fast fashion, and it isn’t transactional. It’s about connection—between the maker, the garment, and the person wearing it. And that intention is what continues to guide every decision we make.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media was never about chasing numbers—it was about creating a visual and emotional world that felt honest to me. From the beginning, I shared content that genuinely resonated: celebrating women, color, texture, nature, and the quiet, powerful moments of beauty I was drawn to. It wasn’t overly strategic at first—it was intuitive. I trusted that if something moved me, it would likely move others too. That instinct became the foundation of my voice online.

As the brand grew, I became more intentional about collaboration. Partnering with influencers and content creators whose work I truly admired was incredibly impactful. Those collaborations felt organic because they were rooted in mutual respect and a shared aesthetic. It wasn’t about reach for the sake of reach—it was about alignment. When that alignment is there, the audience can feel it.

Today, social media is incredibly saturated, and audiences are more discerning than ever. It’s surprisingly easy to recognize when something feels forced or inauthentic. My biggest advice is to resist the urge to perform or replicate what you think will “work.” Instead, focus on what actually matters to you—your values, your perspective, your taste. Speak about things you care about, and share work that genuinely inspires you. That kind of clarity cuts through noise in a way that trends can’t.

I’ve also found that people respond deeply to a sense of world-building. Not everything has to be polished or overly curated—some of my most engaging content has been simple inspiration photo dumps. They offer a glimpse into how I see, what I’m drawn to, and what informs the brand behind the scenes. That openness invites people in, and over time, it builds trust.

Ultimately, growing an audience isn’t about trying to appeal to everyone—it’s about being specific enough that the right people recognize themselves in what you’re creating.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.niathomas.co
• Instagram: @niathomas.co
• Facebook: NIA THOMAS
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nia-thomas-102109140?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@niathomasco

Image Credits
NIA THOMAS I CERTIFY THESE ARE MY IMAGES.